attaching the Radio-Popper PX to the Lastolite Ezybox & Impact Quikbox
I’ve had a bit of a struggle attaching the RadioPopper PX receiver cradle securely to my favorite softbox, the Lastolite Ezybox. The problem is that the Lastolite softbox has a unique way of attaching the speedlight to the softbox bracket. The RadioPopper PX receiver sits in a cradle (to which the speedlight is fitted), and at the bottom of the RadioPopper cradle, is a 1/4 inch screw socket.
Even scrounging through my big box of random crap, I couldn’t find a nut & bolt or something similar, to attach the RadioPopper cradle to the Lastolite bracket. And then I stumbled onto something that works juuuuust fine – the Matthews Microgrip hotshoe adapter (B&H)
I don’t use the hot-shoe part for this – but the two discs are just the right width and grippy enough, to help grab the Lastolite Ezybox’s bracket, and give that 1/4″ screw thread for the RadioPopper cradle. And it sits snugly. Perfect solution and quite simple.
This photo, also shown at the top, shows the difference:
On the left, the usual Lastolite bracket, holding the speedlight, or in this case, the PocketWizard TT5 unit and a speedlight.
On the right-hand side, is how the RadioPopper cradle is now attached, using the Matthews Microgrip hotshoe adapter (B&H). Problem solved.
The same problem would exist for the Impact Quikbox 24×24 (B&H), which is identical to the Lastolite Ezybox 24×24 (B&H).
There is of course, there is another workaround to mount the RadioPopper to the Lastolite Ezybox.
 |
This Tilt-Head w/ Spigot (B&H) is a handy addition to any Lastolite softbox because it allows the softbox to be tilted forward (or up). It also has a hole for an umbrella in case you decide a shoot-through or bounce umbrella is a better option. |
|
Since the PocketWizard flash triggers elevate the speedlight too high for the regular bracket (or lollipop) holding the actual softbox, you will need the Lastolite hotshoe mark2 bracket (B&H) to bring the flash and trigger to the correct height for the throat of the softbox. |
 |
photography books by Neil vN
newsletter / forum / workshops & seminars
Stay informed of new articles via the monthly newsletter.
Also join us on the Tangents forum for further discussions.
If you need more direct help or instruction on flash photography,
I do present workshops & seminars and also offer individual tutoring sessions.
If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by
using these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies. Thank you!
Neil, I ran into the same issue with the Lastolite Softbox myself. I ended up going the velcro route. Then adding one of my girl’s hair rubber band thing-a-ma-jigs to make sure the Radio Popper doesn’t decide to launch itself while running around. :)
Comment by Scott T — May 31, 2012 @ 7:14 pm
Neil, do you find that you get many mis-fires with the RadioPoppers? I am having about a 90% success rate. Is that your experience?
Comment by Mike Fisher — May 31, 2012 @ 7:33 pm
Nice! I actually have one of these things. Thanks for the workaround.
@Mike, I recently picked up a pair of Poppers and have used them in two weddings now. Have not had a single misfire in over 1,000 pops. Did you use the channel search function that auto-selects the best channel for the given area? Give that a shot, if that doesn’t work – send them in for repair or replacement!
Louis
Comment by Louis — October 15, 2012 @ 5:50 pm
Thanks so much, Neil. Much better than the other workaround you mentioned, which I had discovered earlier.
Comment by Dorene S — November 20, 2012 @ 1:09 pm
Hello! I am looking to buy the Ezybox 24×24 with my SB600 speedlight and I wanted to know if the RP Cube with my JrX will fit nicely with the cube in the bracket that comes with the Ezybox kit. B&H’s customer service was no help. From the looks of it, the bracket from Ezybox is adjustable height wise. Any advice? Thanks!
Comment by jennifer — November 21, 2012 @ 3:42 pm